Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1887-11-23
SMYRNA DEL. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. NOV
For the Smyrna Times.
Letter from Rev. W. B. Gordon.
A TRIP To THE TERRA CALLIENTE OF
MEXICO.

which lies in the TERRA Calliente. As
l rode out of the capital at 6 A. NJ, the
air was quite cool, causing me to draw
my "serape" about my shoulder. The
route for II miles lay in the valley of
Mexico, skirting lake Tescoco, which
reflected like mirror the pale light of
early dawn. Clouds obscured the
snow-clad peaks which usually domi-
nate the scene. We rode through
fields of maize, barley and oats; Or
chards of apples, pears and chestnuts
and meadows sprinkled with marigolds.
zinnas, daisies and other wild flowers.
where herds of cattle were ENJOYING
the tender, dew-laden grass. Our road
was bounded on ones side by a canal
and on the other by a rough stone
wall. On the surface of the water of
the canal, like groups of nymphs TAX
ing their morning bath, floated hun
dreds of waterlillies, with now and
then, as tho to represent the mother
nymphs guarding their fair daughters,
clump of stately callas.
Trailing over the wall, concealing
partly its irregularities and festooning
the neighbOring trees, were convoIouli.
trumpet flowers and various other
creepers, each more glorious in color
and larger in size than ever seen in
temperate lands. To add to the pic
turesqueness of the scene we had for
company a long, struggling "burro"
train, driven by Indians halfclad in
white cotton cloth with serapes" of
bright and varied colors thrown over
their shoulders, each wearing broad
sombrerO" and having sandals on his
feet.
At the end of the first II miles.
which brought us to the foot of the
Sierra that we were to cross, we dis
mounted to wait for the stage in which
we were to travel to Cuernavaca, the
capital of the State of Morelos. After
we had waited about an hour. the
diligencia," drawn by eight fiery little
mules, came dashing up, escorted by a
dozen heavily armed rural police
mounted on mustangs" Taking nv
seat by the side of dark-eyed Senior
tia, l was soon climbing the Sierra.
When we reached the summit of the
pass, which we did soon after midday
we halted at a roadside Fonda" for
dinner. All the passengers but one
went in to dine. AS 1 have not vet
learned to relish Mexican cookery. |
preferred to make my lunch off the
provisions in my basket. When we
had changed our mules and satisfied
the wants of the inner man, we again
took our seats, and were soon rattling
down the slope at a rapid pace. About
P. NJ, we rounded the shoulder of
one of the peaks and the indescribablv
beautiful Valley of Cuernayacan
burst suddenly upon our vision. The
white city, with its towers and domes
gittering in the bright tropical sun,
surrounded by fields of vivid green
sugar cane, and orange groves, and set
In an ampitheatre of verdue-clad hills
lay directly in front of us; on the right
and behind us was the Sierra with its
many peaks of naked rocks; while to
our left, dominating all, Popocatapetl
lifted his snOwclad head high into the
deep, deep blue sky.
From this one, to the foot of the Mt.
we went at a tremendous pace, and at
4.SO P. NJ, drew up at the hotel San
Pedro, where we were received with
Spanish grace and courtesy by the
hostess.
The effect Of elevation upon climate
and productions was strongly impress.
ed upon my mind by this days journey.
In the morning an overcoat was desir-
able, and l was in the midst of wheat
helds and apple orchards; before night
was walking through a sugar planta-
uon, carrying an umbrella to shield |
me from the sun, and eating a banana
that had just plucked from the tree
And in order to find these tropical pro-
auctions IIhad ridden only forty-seven
miles
L doubt if a finer climate than that of
Cuernavaca from the middle of October
to the LIST of May is to be found on the
face of the globe. Its elevation. 5000
feet above the ocean, prevents tropical
fevers; having the Sierra to the North
OF it makes it free from the terrible
northers" from which much of this
country suffers in Winter; and the
temperature for the period mentioned
IS just that which is most delightful
and healthful, from co. to 75o. AS an
evidence of the pleasantness and salu-
brity of its Winter climate, may men
ton that both Cortez and Maxamilian
made it their place of residence during
that season. The palace of the former
and the villa of the latter are still
standing and in good state of preser-
walton. The palace in which the great
conqueror once lived surrounded bv his
mail-clad warriors is now the court
house, and the hum of the voices of
school girls at their studies came to our
ears through the open windows as we
passed the villa once the house of poor
Carlotta.
had expected to leave G. on the
morning of the 4th but in the night of
the Srd it began to rain, to rain as it
only does in the Tropics, and by day
light next morning the river, which we
must ford to continue our journey, was
impossible, and so continued for three
days, so per force we were compelled
to remain in G. for that length of time.
employed myself in making the ac-
quaintance ofthe families, about twen-
ty in number, belonging to our church,
and in visiting places of interest in and
around the city. One afternoon we
went out about two miles to the Falls
OF San Antonio, the most famous in
Mexico. And, though we were over